Philippines bets off to hot starts in US Open 9-Ball Championship
CEBU, Philippines — All but one of the 11 Filipino contenders hurdled their opening round assignments in the 2021 US Open 9-Ball Championship at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Cebu’s pride Warren Kiamco launched his bid for the $50,000 (P2.5 million) grand prize with a 9-3 thrashing of American Michael DeLawder.
The 51-year-old Kiamco, a two-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist, will face next another American in Justin Espinosa.
Kiamco’s fellow compatriots Carlo Biado, Dennis Orcollo, Johann Chua, James Aranas, Jeffrey de Luna, Roland Garcia, Daniel Dagotgot, Jeffrey Ignacio, and Roberto Gomez also got off to flying starts in the six-day tilt that offers a total of $300,000 in prize fund.
Biado outlasted American Steve Fleming, 9-2, while Orcollo, Chua, and Aranas pulled off a similar 9-1 thrashing of Miguel Angel Giron Mendieta of Honduras, Steven Way of US, and Sakura Muramatsu of Japan, respectively.
Not to be outdone, De Luna nipped Edward Abraham, 9-5, Garcia slammed Nic Torraca, 9-2, Dagotgot edged Jaydev Zaveri of India, 9-7, Ignacio subdued Tyler Adolini, 9-6, while Gomez downed Joseph Testa, 9-7.
It was not all jubilation though for the Pinoys as Dan Segui was relegated to the loser’s bracket after getting crushed by Donny Mills, 9-1.
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